***Promised to work harder as he dedicates his 7th Award of the year to Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa, the good people of Sapele Local Government Area, and Deltans in general
Multi-award winning writer and author of the most talked about book today in Delta State, “The Man Okowa,” Tagbarha Malcolm, FHNR, Tuesday, 14th of December, 2021, received the prestigious award of excellence from the Delta State Civil Societies, under the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Civic Engagements to Delta State Governor, Sen.(Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa.
The award ceremony which was in commemoration of the 2021 edition of the Delta State Civil Society Day, took place at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, with the Executive Governor of Delta State, Sen.(Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, in attendance and was awarded by the Coalition of Civil Societies Organization in Nigeria, as the ‘Most friendly Civil Society Governor in Nigeria’.
The pioneer Chief Press Secretary to Sapele LGA Council and State Publicity Secretary, Coalition for Media Politics and Governance, (CMPG), was honoured alongside other notable Nigerians and veterans in the Civil Society Community such as distinguished Senator Shehu Sani, Mrs Ayo Obe, Mr Obayuwana, Omeco Daniels, Oyoroko Ochuko Victor Ojei (aka) Wong Box and others
The USAID/International Republican Institute, (IRI), Campaign Trainer, who has honoured speaking invitations in Ethiopia, Switzerland, Paris, Belgium, Norway, Denver Colorado, Washington DC, etal, before coming to Nigeria to contribute towards nation building, dedicated his award to Governor Okowa in particular, the good people of Sapele Local Government Area, and Deltans in general.
The Civil Society group had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the governor where the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Activist Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro, thanked the State Governor for integrating civil society members into his government to ensure that they worked together for the good of the State. Adding that since 2016, every December 14, had been set aside to celebrate the contributions of civil societies to the State.
In his remarks, Chairman of Civil Society Groups in Delta, Okezi Odugala, said sustainable development had been brought to bear in Delta with the governor’s support and collaboration. He then commended the governor for appointing women in various positions, especially as Vice Chairmen and Councilors in local government councils.
Responding, Okowa thanked the CSOs for the award and called for a greater engagement for the good of the nation.
“I welcome you all to Delta and thank you for the selfless service you are rendering to our nation”.
He congratulated his aide, Rex Anighoro, for his great works in the civil society engagement, adding that the State leveraged on the partnership with civil society to manage the ENDSARS crisis in the State.
Mr Tagbarha Malcolm, fellow of the Institute of Human and Natural Resources, commended Activist Rex Anighoro and the Delta State Civil Society group, for finding him worthy to be recognized and honoured alongside other great men and women in Nigeria.